Pubs worth a visit

[Frisp]

Im starting this thread so we can get ourselves a list of pubs worth a visit, either for their commitment to quality ale, quaintness or just a downright pleasant place to have a gargle.
Im going to suggest that we sart our replies by putting a header in in the following format and then a little text which will say why you think its worth a visit.

SOMERSET - The Pheasant at Wookey
A nice country pub which has been renovated but not in a plactic theme pub style. The ale is ok and drinks ok, The main thing I like about the place is that its got a damn fine Itallian menu. The family are itallian and take pride in what comes out of their Kitchen... Its the type of pub where the locals stayed at their respective barstool and the pub was painted round about them.... Beware of old George he will try to lead you astray on Somerset Apple products....
or
BATH The green tree tavern , Green street
This place is a Tardis, a little door leads into a series of living rooms where someone built a bar umpteen years ago. This is an ale drinkers paradise. The small bar is covered in Handpulls all with guest ales. And all in tip top condition. Dont look for food here, you might get some pork scratchings but its always packed with ale drinklers...... Its a permanent beer festival

Get the Idea - If we put the header on If Im going somewhere on a trip I can look at the header for the County or Town Im going to and find some pubs that are worth a visit

 

[Frisp]

SOMERSET The Hunters Rest In the middle of nowhere near the Village of Priddy
This is like stepping into a 17th Century country alehouse. It hasnt been decorated since then. They have a few ales which are kept in tip top condition as the locals will hang the landlord if the beer is ****. Typically Somerset they do like their cider. Speak to the locals and there is a fair chance you will end up very very drunk. Its also frequented by Ramblers and Cavers because no one gives a **** that they trudge in with muddy boots and overalls cause thats what the locals do and as its a stone floor and a bit utilitarian no one gives a ****.... Legend has it that the landlords bell doesnt ring and the lock on the front door has a bad habit of self locking befpore all the customers are out, trapping them within.... So beware lest ye become trapped.....

 

[Frisp]

SOMERSET The Blue Flame West end NAILSEA
If you're looking for an armchair and a thatched roof then avoid the Blue Flame. It's very basic and could really do with a lick of paint here and there, but if you want the perfect pint, served straight from the cask, then this is the place for you. Expect to find some hops in the bottom of your glass and for the local farmers to invite you to join their game of cards. No grated cheese on a cob here - a full slab of cheddar and some tangy onion

 

[Frisp]

SOMERSET The Crown ,The Batch, Churchill, Somerset, BS19 5PP
This was an old coaching Inn on the Bristol to Exeter road. You wont see the pub from the present A37. First time I walked in I nearly tripped over the ashes which were tumbling out of the open log fire. It looked like the fire hadnt been emptied since 19 oatcake. The landlord will proudly tell you that the back extension is the refurbished part and that was done in 19 fortyfrozen to death. This place oozes atmosphere.. All the barrels are stacked behind the bar. no coolers or pubgas here.... It does however have some cola and orange juice for the driver.... The rest of the place is dedicated to the worship of ALE and ZIDER

 

[Wez]

NORTH WARWICKSHIRE The Brewery Tap, Church End Brewery, CV10 ORD

Nowadays I don't get to go out very much to 'drinking pubs' mostly it's to family pubs with a restaurant and I just have to hope they have 1 handpull on. When I do get to go out for a few beers I go to "The Brewery Tap" at Church End Brewery. The place doesn't look much from the outside as it's a converted working mens club but inside they have created a nice modern airy feel, lots of wooden floors and a huge window in the main bar where you can see through to the brewery plant, the view dominated 5 huge conicals.

They are only open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They always have 8 of their beers on and also always have 2 different ciders as well as an impressive range of bottled beers. They don't do food at all but welcome you to settle in for the night there and are happy for you to order your take away to be delivered there or take a picnic in the summer.

There is a large beer garden where families are welcome but there is a strict no children rule in the bar. (Dogs are however permitted).

 

[ashbyp]

The Kelly Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
This isn't a great pub by any measure, and Kingston and surrounding area has a lot of decent pubs. Fullers and Youngs pubs are everywhere so you don't need to search out a "real ale" pub to get a decent pint.

I recommend the Kelly Arms because it's in an area where everyone wants to drink Fosters, Stella or Guiness. And it has at least two taps devoted to each of those. But the lanlord has 3 handpulls too... only one is ever on because he cannot sell 72 pints of ale in less than a week, so one on at a time is all he can realistically do. The pumps are currently Ringwood, Wherry and Doom bar. It's his own personal crusade to educate the masses and keep real ale at a pub where you wouldn't expect it so that's why I recommend it.

 

[BrewStew]

The Wellington, Bedford

To date this is the best ever pub i've been to. they nearly always have 10 or so real ales from various microbrewies, some local. every one kept in perfect condition by the very experienced and knowledgeable cellarman.

a warm welcome is assured, and you'll be impressed by the amount of pump badges surrounding the place, all the walls and ceilings are completely covered in them!

they dont serve food, so it is a pure watering hole with bar snacks. dogs are welcome too (which is rare for a pub in the middle of town) but double check first by giving them a ring because there really aren't alot of seats and i'm sure people dont want to be tripping over a dog with an armfull of beers hehe.

some friday and saturday nights there are groups of people with instruments, banjo, guitar, piccolo, fiddle etc and they regularly have spur of the moment jams. they do it for fun and aren't paid. if you're of musical talent i'm sure you can join in and improvise with them

this pub recently won a CAMRA pub of the year award too.

everytime i'm in bedford i stop by here.

out of ten this pub gets an 9.5 for me, it really is that good. only losing the 0.5 because it is quite small and if you're not there early getting a seat can be a problem.

 

[Dunfie]

EDINBURGH

Rather than just pick one pub for Edinburgh I thought I would list a few of my favourites so that if you ever have a night out in the city you will be armed with a bloody good pub crawl :

The Guildford Arms
This has been a favourite of mine since I got very drunk on Heather Ale about 15 years ago. Great selection of beer that is always in good condition. They have a restaurant up the stairs to which serves posh pub grub.

Thomsons Bar
This is about as traditional as they come. No TV, simple bar food, dogs allowed and of course very good beer. They don't have hand pumps but they use the air pumps instead.

The Bow Bar
On the way down to the Grass Market and as such it can get very busy. There is a famous indian restaurant close by called Kushi's that is a BYO. You can buy jugs of beer at the Bow Bar and take them into the restaurant. :clap:

Kays Bar
This is a real gem so don't let anyone else know . It is tiny but very friendly and the beer is always great with very good guest beers.

Cask and Barrel
Another very good traditional pub with plenty of real ale choice. It has a magnificent Italian restaurant next door.

Berts Bar
There are two Berts Bars. Although they are both good I prefer the one up at the West End (they are famous for their pies and often have pie eating contests)

The Cumberland Bar
This one is actually close to my work. Good pub lunches and a very nice beer garden.

The Half Way House
This is half way up one of the famous Edinburgh "closes" near Waverly station. If you are a member of CAMRA you get 50p off your first pint (I'd rather give them the ten bob )

 

[Oblivious]

EDINBURGH
The Guildford Arms
This has been a favourite of mine since I got very drunk on Heather Ale about 15 years ago. Great selection of beer that is always in good condition. They have a restaurant up the stairs to which serves posh pub grub.

The Bow Bar
On the way down to the Grass Market and as such it can get very busy. There is a famous indian restaurant close by called Kushi's that is a BYO. You can buy jugs of beer at the Bow Bar and take them into the restaurant. :clap:

Great bars alright had the pleasure of having a pint or to in them a few years ago

 

[mysterio]

I'll go for my pick of the Glasgow pubs...

The Bon Accord
Great pub near the Mitchell library at Charing cross. Lively atmosphere, varied selection of ales and usually most of them are in good condition. Probably the pub I visit most.

The Three Judges
Another one of my regular haunts, cosy corner pub on Partick cross with a good selection of ales (some of the hand pumps are fake though), and also a great selection of bottled beer, and Weihenstephan on tap for a reasonable price.

Tennents
A proper old Glasgow pub, and the only decent place on Byers Rd. Taylor's Landlord is one of the regulars.

And my pick of the Edinburgh pubs,

Cloisters Bar
The beer here is the most consistently good out of the Edinburgh pubs IMO, excellent selection of whisky too. Nice big tables, no TV/music.

 

[Kingfisher]

The Cumberland Arms Ouseburn, Byker

http://www.thecumberlandarms.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/cumberlandarms

Recently visited and enjoyed, old style pub with lots of live music. You can pay extra to watch in the pub or sit outside and hear it for nothing. The real plonkies sit down below in the wood and bring their own cider . The food's O K too.

The Tyne

http://www.thetyne.com/

Situated at the east end of Newcastle Quayside just keep walking past the new wine bars, The pub has an outdoor area under the arch of a bridge with great acoustics. There was a rockabilly band on last time we visited, lots of quiffs about. Visit this before you find The Cumberland.

The Cluny's also handy but not as good.

Before travelling to Newcastle read The Burglar's Dog

http://www.theburglarsdog.co.uk/

 

[J_P]

Yorkshire Dales

Bridge Inn Grinton

A friendly place in the heart of Gods country three regular Jennings beers and one or two guests. I've never had a bad pint in there and the flavoursome Jennings Ales make a welcome change from the ever present and pretty uninteresting Theakstons offerings that seem to be all pervading in the dales.

They usually have an open log fire going and dogs and muddy boots are welcome, which is always a good thing because generally when I'm in there I have both with me :lol:

There is a separate restaurant that is reasonably priced and tasty, they do a killer Sunday lunch although my favourite time to be there is a Summer Sunday evening, sat outside watching the tourists go home knowing full well that you don't have to!

 

[the_duck]

Oh just found this.


Sunderland.

The clarendon, nice little pub by the river, has it's own microbrewery in the cellar, they usually have 3-4 beers of their own on and 5 litre minicasks are sometimes available to take home.

The Borough, my favourite watering hole, in the centre of town surrounded by horrible plastic and chrome pubs, it's a carpet, wood and brass pub. Usually serving 2-3 ales and Old rosie cider.